Bradford Little Theatre (BLT) is thrilled to announce the cast for “A Christmas Carol — A Live Radio Play,” adapted from the Dickens classic by local playwright Caleb Combs.
Combs will also serve as the director of the show, making his directorial debut for BLT.
This holiday favorite is brought to life as a 1940s radio broadcast complete with sound effects, background music and vintage advertisements. A handful of actors take on dozens of characters to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, played by theatre regular David Merwine.
Three ghosts whisk him away on an adventure through the past, present and future to convince Scrooge to change his ways before it is too late. The ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Present will be portrayed by BLT veterans Connie Shanks and Joshua Hatcher, while the ghost of Christmas Yet To Come will be brought to life with the help of sound effects provided live by Lou Costa and Tony Vinca.
“I feel very lucky to be able to work with this cast for my first BLT show,” Combs said. “It’s a mix of friends I’ve worked with before, local actors I’ve admired for years, and some brand new faces. I’m tremendously excited to tell this story with all of these talented people.”
The story will be woven together by an all-knowing narrator, played by Dani Newman, a long-time BLT actor and director. The narrator begins by telling the audience that Scrooge’s business partner, Jacob Marley, has been dead for seven years to the day.
Scrooge’s Christmas-loving clerk, Bob Cratchit, will be brought to life by Brad Preston, who is no stranger to BLT. Cratchit’s wife and son, the infamously tragic Tiny Tim, is portrayed by BLT newcomers Kimberly Preston and Sean Fox, respectively. Cratchit’s daughter, Martha, is played by BLT regular Bella Mager.
Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, who loves the Christmas season and invites his uncle to Christmas dinner is played by another BLT veteran, Devon Moore. Another veteran BLT actress, Michaelah Hatcher, plays Fred’s wife, Eliza.
Characters from Scrooge’s past, such as his old boss, Mr. Fezziwig, played by BLT regular Christopher Lathrop, are also featured heavily in the story. Other veteran BLT actors featured as characters Scrooge visits with the first ghost are Isaiah Hatcher as Young Scrooge and Melody Campbell as Belle. Newcomer George Wagner plays Scrooge’s classmate, James Lockley.
Also new to the BLT stage is Roy Collins II, who will be playing a gravedigger.
The live radio play will be produced and stage managed by BLT board members Tiffany Mager and Jessica Ann Coder.
The show times are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8 and 2 p.m. Dec. 9. The show will be held at Togi’s Playhouse at 18 Welch Ave., Bradford.
Cost is $10 per ticket for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased prior to the show at Graham Florist and Togi’s Restaurant. They will also be available at the door, which opens 30 minutes prior to the show.
